Today December 17

Today is the feast of St. Lazarus, raised from the dead by Christ, brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, friend of Our Lord (first century). All we have on him for certain is what is written of him in the Scriptures (the 11th chapter of St. John). There are numerous traditions of what happened to him after his resuscitation. The oldest (and more likely) story is that he and his sisters and others landed in Cyprus, settled at Kition (now called Larnaka), preached among the people, and was even made their bishop. His relics were transferred from there to Constantinople at the church of St. Lazarus there.

The Westerners, not to be outdone, insisted that they sailed to Provence in France, settled at Marseilles, preached there, was made their bishop, and martyred at the place now occupied by the prison called, appropriately enough, Saint-Lazare.

There is abundant evidence that he was honored from the very first days of the Church. Even the place where he was raised from the dead (a tomb area called the Lazarium) was the site of a pilgrimage which took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Even St. Augustine says that traditionally in Africa, the story of his raising from the dead was read at the night office on that day.

St. Lazarus has a special place in the hearts of Hispanics everywhere. He is considered a great patron and protector. St. Lazarus, pray for us.